Answer:

No, of course I did not challenge the schools motto. Nor did I question the Pledge of Allegiance. That would be obtuse.  “Pick your battles”, I’ve been told.  Right?

So I breeched conversations in class. Kids are great!!! Motto’s, dress codes and the Pledge are posted in every classroom and/or heard on obligatory intercoms. The perfect lesson- to ask questions. I let students defend and refute the Pledge. Questions about gender and dress codes are introduced in a safe environment. The school’s motto, which is permanently secured and ignored in most classrooms gets a notable wink, and becomes the star of a Socratic dialogue. It does not matter if you agree or disagree. Just talk, ask questions. Think! 

No, I do not want kids to think like me (although it would be fun, but that is not my job- as I see it).  I students to think more independently.  In school…  now, how is that such a ‘rebellious’ revolutionary act, I wonder?

I want kids (and teachers) to think, ask questions and demand clear, distinct ideas. (Radical) 

What do we want kids to learn?

How do we know that they have learned it?

Oh, but careful here. If asked, in a mandatory staff meeting- those two questions can be tricky. Who is asking the questions? Who are the ‘we’? 

Experienced Translation: What do ‘we’ the businesses want kids to learn; and conveniently ‘we’ have data-oriented standardized tests to monitor ‘our’ progress. 

Either obey, or (what?) 

A chilling third question is usually added to the first two:

What are you (the teacher) going to do when kids don’t lean ’it’? 

Translation: It is up to you, educators, to follow curriculum without question. And you will be required to spend countless hours figuring out how to get kids to try to understand nonessential information for someone else’s agenda. And when the data dips? It’s educators fault, kids fault and there is now a crisis in education (because the data will never be sufficient).  Luckily this will be followed up with a- ‘but wait there’s more!’ solution with business management coming in to save the day. More ‘rigorous’ pre-approved, pre-printed lessons Guaranteed to get kids to learn.  Essentially, get education focused on two or three questions that guides curriculum. Any deviation from programed questions are unacceptable. Duh. 

Answer? Ask more questions.